USA > Missouri > Johnson County > Portrait and biographical record of Johnson and Pettis counties, Missouri ; containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 76
USA > Missouri > Pettis County > Portrait and biographical record of Johnson and Pettis counties, Missouri ; containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 76
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J. M. Offield was born near Bolivar, Polk County, February 28, 1846, and received a dis- trict-school education, subsequently pursuing his studies in Bolivar Academy. When but sixteen years of age he commenced teaching school, in his home district, but as the war came on it be- came necessary to close the schools, and Mr. Of- field went to Cooper County, where he taught until 1865, in the district south of Boonville. In the fall of 1864 he was twice captured by guerrillas at Syracuse, and was once shot by George Todd. In 1865 he was given a position as agent on the Union Pacific Railroad near Wyandotte, remain- ing there about a year. Next he was ticket agent at Sedalia for the Missouri Pacific for some two years, at the end of which time he became book- keeper for Hall & Bieler, wholesale grocers, serv- ing as such until 1872. At that time, in com- pany with J. G. Bieler, he started a branch house at Sherman, Tex., being made manager of the concern. He conducted a large wholesale busi- ness, shipping supplies to points in Texas and Indian Territory, but in 1883 sold out.
Returning to Sedalia in 1882, Mr. Offield en- barked in the wholesale and retail hardware busi- ness. He built a brick block at the corner of Osage Avenue and Second Street, which has three stories and basement, and is 44x90 feet in dimen- sions. After putting in a well selected stock of goods our subject sold out the business in a short time, trading the same for farm land, since which time he has given his entire attention to real es-
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tate. The Dundee Addition to Sedalia, which he platted and laid out, is finely located, and the main thoroughfare from east to west, Gentry Boulevard, is one hundred feet wide. This prop- erty is first-class and intended only for fine resi- dences. Mr. Offield is very liberal in his political views, but supports the Democratic nominees. He is a past officer in the Masonic order, belong- ing to the Royal Arch Masons, and is a Knight of Pythias. He is also affiliated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
January 18, 1876, Mr. Offield and Allie Boone Gentry were united in marriage. She was born in this city November 11, 1852, and was a daugh- ter of Maj. William Gentry, who was born in the old Franklin Fort, in Pettis County, in 1818. His parents emigrated from Kentucky at the same time as did Daniel Boone, to whom they were re- lated. The Major's father, Reuben Gentry, was born in 1785, in Albemarle County, Va., and his father, Richard, whose birth occurred in the same state and who was of German descent, lived to attain the good old age of eighty-five years. He was a soldier in the War of the Revolution. Reuben Gentry moved to Madison County, Ky., in 1824, and afterwards settled in Howard Coun- ty, Mo., passing his last years in this county. Major Gentry accumulated six thousand acres of land, and resided two and a-half miles nortlı of this city. In 1858 he was elected County Judge, and served as such for eight years, and later was Presiding Judge for several years prior to his death, at which time he was also President of the State Board of Health and of the State Board of Agriculture. In 1870 he was a candidate for the office of Governor. He helped to build the Mis- souri Pacific Railroad, of which he was at one time President, and was also a Director in the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad. In addi- tion to all his other offices he served acceptably as President of the Fair Association. During the Civil War he served in the Union army, and in 1862 was appointed Major of the Fortieth Militia by Governor Gamble, later acting as Major of the Fifth Regular Militia until the close of the war. His death occurred in May, 1891.
The wife of Mr. Offield was educated in St.
Louis and was a lady of superior merits. She was called to the home beyond August 18, 1886, and, by a strange coincidence, her sister, Mrs. Claney, died on the same day. The two sons of our subject and his wife are bright and promising youths. The elder, Gentry, is now in the high school, being a member of the Class of '95. The younger, James M., was named in honor of his father. Mr. Offield is one of the Vestrymen in the Cavalry Episcopal Church.
CHARLES SWISHER. A position of prominence among the agriculturists of Pet- tis County is held by the subject of this sketch, who owns and operates a valuable farm on section 32, township 44, range 23. This place, which he purchased in 1891, consists of one hun- dred and sixty-two acres, upon which have been introduced all the improvements of a modern and first-class farın. The value of the place has been increased by the erection of substantial buildings, adapted for the convenience of the family and for the promotion of the work of the farmn.
A native of Ohio, our subject was born in Gal- lia County, in 1857. The family of which he is a member consisted of eleven children, of whom he was the ninth in order of birth. His parents, Samuel and Sarah N. (Fauber) Swisher, were born and reared in Virginia. They were there married, and about 1845 packed together their household goods and started overland for the Buckeye State. There the father occupied him- self in farm work, making that section his home for about twenty years. In 1865 they took up the line of march to this state, choosing Pettis County as their future abiding-place, and, pur- chasing the farm which our subject now owns, lived there until their decease, the mother pass- ing away in 1885, and the father two years later.
Having left Ohio when a lad of nine years, the
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education of our subject was carried on prin- cipally in the schools of Missouri. After the death of his father he assumed the management of the farm, and now finds himself in a position of prominence among the agriculturists of his township. Although he raises a large amount of grain each year, he devotes the most of his time to stock-raising, keeping on hand several head of fine horses, besides cattle and swine of good breeds.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Phili- pene Espenshied took place in April, 1888, she being the daughter of Henry and Catherine (Mil- ler) Espenshied, natives of Germany. Mrs. Swisher was born in St. Louis, this state, and by her union with our subject has become the moth- er of two children, Henry S. and Augusta. Mr. Swisher is a member in good standing of the Con- gregational Church, and as such fills an honor- able position in the social circles of his community. He is a member of the Foresters, a beneficiary and insurance organization. Politically he is a Re- publican, always supporting the nominees of his party. He has never held any township or coun- ty offices, nor has he ever desired it, being con- tent to trust the affairs of the county to others, while he looks after the interest of his farm and family.
OHN CASHMAN, an able lawyer of Sedalia, has an extensive and lucrative practice in the State and Federal Courts, and stands abreast with the foremost members of his profes- sion. He was City Attorney of Sedalia from April, 1890, to April, 1894, four of the most pro- gressive years of the city's history. During this time he drafted and secured the enactment of the law now governing cities of the third class in Missouri. He also revised the ordinances of his city to conform to the new law, so that on his re- tirement from office he left one of the most com- plete codes in the state for municipal regulation.
In 1886 our subject was elected to the City
Council, where he was kept by his constituents until he saw fit to resign. While in the Council he was Chairman of the Committee on Public Lighting, and the present fine electric-light and railway systems of Sedalia were mainly procured through his efforts. He is a Democrat in poli- tics and holds a high place in the ranks of his party locally, receiving the nomination for Pros- ecuting Attorney in 1894 without opposition; but, for the first time, was defeated, with the balance of the county ticket, on account of the immense Republican majorities then common throughout the United States.
Mr. Cashman, who was born in Jefferson City, Mo., December 1, 1857, settled with his father in Pettis County when nine years of age, and has lived here ever since. His common-school edu- cation was supplemented by a collegiate course of three years at Osage Mission, Kan. He was but a mere boy when he formed the determina- tion to enter the legal profession, and from the time he was fifteen years of age he has read and studied law at intervals. After years of private study at home on the farm, and while at school, he entered the office of an eminent law firm to complete his studies, and was admitted to the Bar September 11, 1883, in Sedalia, Mo. He was for a short time a law partner of Capt. L. L. Bridges, but like many beginners in his profes- sion lacked means to sustain him while building up a practice, and was forced to seek employ- ment assuring a positive income. He was made Deputy Circuit Clerk under T. A. Fowler in 1887, where he was put in full charge of all mat- ters pertaining to the Circuit and Criminal Courts. This place he held until elected City Attorney in April, 1890, and although this city was strongly Republican he received a majority of four hun- dred and eighty-seven votes, and was re-elected in 1892, again leading his ticket.
Patrick Cashman, the father of our subject, was born near Listowel, Ireland, where he re- ceived a classical education, coming to America about 1850. He went first to New Orleans, La., thence to Ohio, and finally came to Missouri in the early '50s, residing a short time in Jefferson City. In 1860 he began farming in Cooper
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County, near Boonville, but at the close of the war moved to Pettis County, where he still re- sides. He was married to Miss Deborah Cain just before leaving his native country. There were born to them eleven children, five of whom are living.
November 15, 1883, John Cashman married Miss Mary E. Gilker, who was born in St. Louis County, Mo., and who is a daughter of William Gilker, a farmer. There have been born to them three children, namely: Alma, Mary and Blanche.
OHN W. HIGGINBOTHAM resides in township 46, range 24, where he has a fine farm. His prominence among the citizens of Johnson County is the result of his straightfor- ward dealings with all, as well as the enterprise which he displays in the management of affairs. He is well known, for he has spent his entire life in Missouri, and since locating in this county has ever maintained a deep interest in its progress.
Our subject was born in Cooper County in 1846, to John M. and Louisa (Stringfield) Higginboth- am. The father, who was a native of Georgia, spent but two years of his life in that state, as his parents early emigrated to Kentucky. There he lived until attaining his seventeenth year, when he journeyed to Indiana and spent the interven- ing time until 1840, the year of his advent into Missouri. Here he passed the remaining years of his life, following the combined occupations of farming, brick-making and milling. He passed away in 1879. His good wife, the mother of our subject, is still living in Rogers, Ark., aged eighty years.
Our subject attended the district schools of both Pettis and Johnson Counties, this state, for a short timie only, as his studies were interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil War, and the schools were disorganized. He received thorough training in farm work, and when ready to begin the strug- gles of life for himself, at the age of thirty years,
he was fully acquainted with all the detail work which makes of any business a sure success.
Mr. Higginbotham came to Johnson County in 1865, and has been engaged in brick-making and farming ever since. He has a beautiful tract of land near Knobnoster, upon which stands his res- idence. He is widely known in this vicinity, and his many friends have nothing but good wishes for his success. He was married, in February, 1875, to Mrs. Catherine (Obert) Woodmancy, whose parents were natives of New Jersey. She, however, was born in Tompkins County, N. Y. By her union with our subject, she became the mother of two children, one of whom died when young. George resides at home.
Our subject is a devoted member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church South, and is highly re- garded in this connection, and is Steward in his congregation. Politically he has always been a Democrat, on which ticket he has served three termis as Highway Commissioner. He keeps abreast with the times in his calling, availing himself of all possible sources of information in his chosen work. He is greatly respected, and has the confidence of all who know him.
ILLIAM B. PAGE, M. D., who has been a resident of Smithton since 1883, is a representative of the homeopathic school of medicine. His father, William H. Page, who is a retired farmer, also makes his home in this city. Formerly he conducted a successful drug busi- ness. He is a native of New York, and when es- tablishing a home of his own married Ariadna, daughter of Charles G. Otis, who died in 1872, aged thirty-nine years. Her only child now living is William B , of this sketch. The father was mar- ried a second time, the lady on this occasion being Susan Bohon, the daughter of Walter Bohon, an old settler of this county, who died in 1884 at the age of ninety-two. To them were granted three children, Carrie, Addie and George, all at home.
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The subject of this sketch was born in Darling- ton, Lafayette County, Wis., July 15, 1857. He began reading medicine in 1879, and subsequent- ly entered the medical department of the Michi- gan State University at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated with the Class of'83. At once locating in Sedalia, Mo., he remained there from July until October, when he came to Smithton and from the first has had a good practice.
In politics the Doctor is a Republican. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, the United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen, being Noble Grand of the first-named society. He is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which denomination his mother identified herself after coming to this place, owing to the fact that there was no Congrega- tional society here.
D HARLES E. WADLEIGH. The agricult- urists of Pettis County are, as a rule, pos- sessed of a thorough understanding of their calling, and therefore rank well among the farm- ers the country over. Among those who are suc- cessfully pursuing the peaceful occupation of till- ing the soil is Mr. Wadleigh, whose farm com- prises two hundred and forty acres, located on section 13, township 44, range 23. The land is under thorough tillage, bears a full line of ade- quate improvements, and produces a goodly store of the various crops to the raising of which it is devoted.
Our subject was born in New Hampshire, Oc- tober 2, 1843, and is the eldest member of the household of Daniel F. and Lucinda (Libbey) Wadleigh, both of whom were also natives of the Granite State. There the father was closely identified with the farming interests of his partic- ular section until 1855, when he moved with his family to Lasalle County, Ill. There, in addi- tion to cultivating the soil, he was engaged in the
lumber business, and made his home in the Prai- rie State until 1869, the year of his removal to this county. He at once located on the farm which he is still engaged in farming, although he is in his eighty-first year. He has five brothers living, the eldest being eighty-six, and the youngest sixty-nine years of age. His good wife, the mother of our subject, departed this life in 1873.
Charles E., of this sketch, was given a com- mon-school education in Illinois, and was work- ing on the home farm when the tocsin of war re- sounded throughout the country. Although but eighteen years of age, he answered his country's call and enlisted as a member of Company B, Thirty-third Illinois Infantry, and was mustered into the service September 3, 1861. He was on the field of battle for four years, but during that time was neither injured nor taken prisoner, al- though he experienced the hardships and expos- ures which invariably fall to the soldier. His health was greatly undermined and he still feels, at times, the effect of his armny experience. De- cember 7, 1865, he was mustered out of the serv- ice and returned home to Illinois. He attended school for one season and thereafter gave his at- tention to farming.
Ill 1871 he came to Pettis County, locating at once upon his present estate, where he has one of the finest farms in the entire county. It contains many valuable improvements in the way of build- ings and machinery, and the stock on it is of a good breed.
Mr. Wadleigh was married, in 1871, to Miss Hannah M., daughter of Edwin F. Brewster, a native of Connecticut. Her father has a com- plete record of his family in this country and can trace his ancestry back to the landing of the "Mayflower." Mrs. Wadleigh was born in Grun- dy County, Ill., and by her union with our sub ject she has eight children, all of whom are living at home. They are: Daniel E., Walter E., Net- tie, Florence, James A., Fannie L., Helen M., Robert L. and Clarence L.
Socially Mr. Wadleigh is a member of E. D, Baker Post No. 68, G. A. R. In politics he is a stanchi supporter of Republican doctrines, and is interested in all worthy matters that affect
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the welfare of his community, being at all times a willing contributor to public causes. He has many friends and leads a happy life, surrounded by a loving family and all the comforts which a good income can secure.
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B ENJAMIN FRANKLIN GOIN is well known in this section as the owner of a fine farm in township 47, range 25. By arduous work he has cleared this tract of land and placed it under the best methods of improvement, mak- ing it a very productive property.
Mr. Goin is a native of Tennessee and was born in Campbell County, October 31, 1835. He is the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Pebley) Goin, both of whom were also born in the above state, where the father was a tanner and shoemaker by trade. He also followed farming to some extent, and was favorably known among the best resi- dents of Campbell County. The maternal grand- parents of our subject were John and Mary Peb- ley, who were born in North Carolina, whence they took up the line of march to Tennessee in an early day in its history, and for the remaining years of their lives followed farming in Camp- bell County. The grandfather, Isham Goin, was born in Campbell County, and lived in Tennessee his entire life. He was the only son of his par- ents, who trained him to a life of usefulness and honor, and in following his chosen vocation of an agriculturist was more than ordinarily successful.
The father of our subject was the second-born in a family comprising fourteen children. When old enough to take care of himself, he was ap- prenticed to learn the trade of a tanner, and later became an expert as a shoemaker in Campbell County. Soon after his marriage, however, he moved to Claiborne County, in the same state, and spent the remaining years of his life on a farm of which he was the owner.
The children born to Daniel and Elizabeth Goin were twelve in number. The eldest son, James
M., married Sophia Webb, who is now deceased, and he makes his home in Daviess County, Mo. Benjamin F. was the next-born. Harrison died in infancy. Granville married Mary Lake, and de- parted this life in March, 1893; his widow lives in Daviess County. Bluford married a Miss Ben- net, who is now deceased. John married Mary Dean, and they live in Phillips County, this state. William died at Nashville, Tenn., while in the service of his country during the war. Harvey Taylor and two others of the family died in in- fancy. Sarah became the wife of James McLean, and is now deceased, while her husband makes his home in Tennessee. Mary departed this life while the family were living in Campbell Coun- ty, Tenn. The children received very fair edu- cations in the subscription schools of their native state, and were well equipped to follow useful careers.
Our subject continued to live with his mother until nineteen years of age, when he established a home of his own. He was married in Clai- borne County, Tenn., November 3, 1853, to Miss Mary Lake, who was born June 25, 1833, in Campbell County, that state. She was the daugh- ter of James and Mary (Monday) Lake, by whom she was given every advantage for obtaining a good education.
A few years after his marriage Mr. Goin started for Missouri, arriving here November 3, 1857. They at once located in Phillips County, but only resided there for two years, when they changed their place of residence to Lafayette County, this state. For six years they cultivated a good farm in that county, and in 1866 we find them en route for this county, where our subject had purchased forty acres, now contained in his present farm. He began the work of improving the tract soon after it came into his possession, and besides this property owns twenty acres of timber-land in another portion of the county. He erected the house in which his family now resides in 1857, and although it is not as modern and conveniently arranged as some in the township, yet it is commodious and substantial.
To Mr. and Mrs. Goin there was born a large family, of whom seven are now living. Melvina,
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born September 11, 1854, lives at home; Mary Ann, born November 7, 1855, married William Brown, and they are now farming in Vernon County, this state; Sarah Elizabeth, whose birth occurred in April, 1859, is the wife of John G. Smith, and lives on section 32, this township; William M., born October 3, 1859, married Miss Mary Gibson, and has made his home with his parents since the death of his wife; Judy Louise, who was born November 24, 1861, is still under the parental roof; Ewen was born February 28, 1865, and died April 28 of that year; Paulina D., born December 16, 1866, departed this life March 30, 1867; Benjamin F., Jr., born October 19, 1867, is living at home; and Ellen S., born January 2, 1869, married Harvey Ross, and resides in War- rensburg Township.
Mr. Goin has been Clerk of his district for the past six years. He always votes the Republican ticket and takes great interest in the success of his party. With his wife, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which denomi- nation he has been connected for a period of forty years. He is a self-made man in every sense of the term, and enjoys the friendship and good-will of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
ILLIAM T. AND ANDREW G. DE- WEESE. Farming and stock-raising form the chief occupation of these gentlemen, and the progressive manner in which they have taken advantage of every method and idea tend- ing toward the enhanced value of their property has had considerable to do with their success. Through thrift and enterprise they have accumu- lated a goodly amount of land, and are large real-estate owners. The farm owned by William T. lies on section 6, township 43, range 21, and the estate of the younger brother is situated in the same township.
The elder of the Deweese brothers came to Pet- tis County in October, 1890, and settled on his
present place in September, 1893. The farm consists of one hundred and nine acres, upon which have been placed all modern improvements, and which, through a systematic rotation of crops, has been rendered exceptionally fertile. The sit- uation of the farm is excellent, it being within three miles of Sedalia, so that the owner can combine the advantages offered by close proxim- ity to the city with all the opportunities afforded by rural life.
The father of our subjects, John D. Deweese, was born in Ohio, May 5, 1823, and was by occu- pation a farmer and stock-raiser. His entire life was spent in the Buckeye State, where his death occurred September 7, 1886, and he was laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery, in Miami County. Possessing a stalwart physique and being a man of great enterprise, he aided in the settlement of his part of the county. He was of Welsh ances- try, his progenitors having made their home in Virginia on leaving their native land. Grand- father Thomas Deweese was a well-to-do farmer in the Old Dominion.
John D. Deweese was united in marriage to Martha L. Ruth, the daughter of William and Eliza (West) Ruth. She was born in Lancaster County, Pa., September 22, 1822, and is still liv- ing. Her father was a farmer by occupation, but in early life was a blacksmith and wagon-maker. In the parental family were four sons and one daughter. William Thomas was the eldest; Ma- thias D., the second-born, is deceased; Andrew G. is spoken of more fully later on in this biogra- phy; Perry L. is next in order of birth; and Ruth E. died when two years old.
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